For the first time since the reopening of the railroad. The NWP is having a passenger train. For $199 you will travel between Sacramento and the Sonoma race track. A t-shirt and preferred seating is included.

For the first time ever, Northern California NASCAR fans can get on board the NASCAR Express train service to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Sonoma Raceway.

The raceway has partnered with the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) to offer a first-of-its-kind express train that will transport fans directly from the Sacramento area to the raceway on race day, Sunday, June 23, 2013. The train will depart from Sacramento, with stops in Davis and Suisun City, and traverse some of Northern California’s most spectacular scenery before dropping passengers just steps from the raceway’s main entrance.

Despite Patty Clary of Californians for Alternatives to Toxics (CATs) being quoted, in the NEC paper that the railroad is required to use creosoted ties for construction. The first load of concrete ties were delivered today in Santa Rosa for the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART). This will reduce needed maintenance. This, for those who may not know, is the same line NCRA/NWP use.

BTW, dear Patty Clary, this was not the first time alternatives to the traditional creosoted tie were used on this railroad. On the Ridgewood pass, alternatives were tried.

Update: Two videos already posted.

Also, lying about alternatives the railroad could be using, does not help the democratic process.

The cars have passed the crash test for use with freight(NCRA/NWP). The shells were and are built in Japan. Over sixty percent of the work will be done in Illinois. Then they will be transported over the rail network to be delivered by NWP. These cars and the new petaluma bridge will generate additional revenue for NWP/NCRA.

The new Haystack bridge in Petaluma was bought from Texas. SMART did a smart move with buying that bridge. Train speeds will be higher, the channel will be wider, and will save about thirty million over the long haul. Barge operators will be happier with the wider channel.

Not enough signatures to even bother with the verification of votes. They needed 14,9xx votes plus thirty percent per RepealSMART. They turned in 14,5xx signatures even after paying people to get signatures. They cannot even go to court over that amount. That is six months worth of effort.

There is talk of a second attempt at repeal. Even if successful, it will accomplish nothing. The money will be released soon for construction, committing the money to the project.

Despite sales tax and criticism SMART continues to gain, making it as good a project as it can be with the funds they have.

A long process allowed the moving of the Rohnert Park station to a more desired location to bring more riders on board. Because of the density of the new location, that allowed another station in Novato to be built adding riders.

MOW is pleased to announce our first motorcar excursion on the newly
renovated ex NWP rails since they were bought by SMART (Sonoma Marin Area
Rail Transit). This is also a very special excursion in support of
“eco-tourism” in Sonoma and Marin counties. EcoRing is a non-profit
organization which is organizing this “EcoOdyssey” event to promote tourism
using alternatives to cars for transportation. Since SMART is not in service
yet EcoRing asked if we could provide rail transportation for this event. We
will have guests joining us from the railroad, local and state politicians
and dignitaries, and members of the press who support rail transportation.

May 6 Set-on, Santa Rosa to Healdsburg and return to Santa Rosa. May 7,
Santa Rosa to Petaluma and Navato and return and set-off. Limit 25 cars each
day. $40 for both days, $15 for May 6 only, $25 for May 7.

This is supported by the Motorcar Operators West, a wonderful group of speeder enthusiasts. Done using a group of speeders. The kind environmentalists threw a fit up here about. Down there, they are eco-transportation.